Single injection peribulbar anesthesia with a short needle combined with digital compression.
BACKGROUND
We compare the efficacy of using a 15 mm to the standard 25 mm needle for performing peribulbar blockade.


METHODS
Blocks were performed on 150 patients using 15 or 25 mm needle length. Digital compression was applied by the thumb and index finger around the needle hub during injection with 15 mm needle. Anesthetic was injected until lid fullness was noted. Inadequate block was augmented.


RESULTS
No significant differences were noted between groups with respect to local anesthetic volume, supplementation, and akinesia.


CONCLUSIONS
Peribulbar blockade performed with a 15 mm needle with digital pressure is comparable to blockade using a 25 mm needle.
Riad
Waleed
W
Department of Anaesthesia, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, P.O. Box 7191, Riyadh 11462, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. waleed_riad@yahoo.com
Ahmed
Nauman
N
D000368:Aged; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D004867:Equipment Design; D005041:Etidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005143:Eyelids; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods; D011312:Pressure
D005041:Etidocaine